A Recent Baptism Service
It is difficult to know just what words to put to the experience of the recent weekend when seven people were baptised and reaffirmed their baptism vows. Moving, challenging, brilliant, celebrative, real, authentic, joy filled... all those and more! Everything was going well until the main fuse box of the church blew in a bang and all the lights, all the sound, all the projections stopped in their tracks... And then there was light (thanks to Colin!) and darkness was banished... Only in Twerton. Brilliant. Makes you love God and want to follow Jesus. Click here to see some more pictures. Check out the stories and the sound of it all on the podcast.
Adult Baptism
For adults who have not been baptised before, St Michael’s offers Baptism by sprinkling at the font or full immersion in a pool.
For adults who have been baptised as a child, the church also offers a service of Renewal of Baptism Vows with water, either by sprinkling at the font or by full immersion in a pool. It is important to note that this is not a ‘re-baptism’ but a reaffirmation of the vows that were made for you as a child. Some who have been ‘christened’ have discovered that they have only recently ‘come to faith’ and want to mark this adult conversion by reaffirming their vows in this way.
What is the meaning of it all?
The Greek word 'baptezein' means ‘plunging’, ‘immersing’ or ‘drowning’ and baptism would have been a familiar symbol in first century Palestine. Religious leaders adopted their disciples through baptism and we know of John the Baptist who was baptising people as a sign of repentance. Baptism was both a radical call to ‘repent’ (to turn around and rethink your way of life) and also a re-enactment of the great Jewish liberation of the people of Israel through the Red Sea. In this way John was asking his followers to join his renewal movement based. Jesus was also baptised by John, when the Spirit descended upon him like a dove and after which he began his ministry. Matthew’s Gospel ends with the Great Commission to go into all the world, to make disciples, teaching people everything that Jesus had taught and to baptise in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We baptise in obedience to Jesus’ command.
In the New Testament baptism is seen as being primarily for adults who had accepted the Christian faith (Acts 2:37-41, Acts 8:26-33) but there were exceptions when a whole household were baptised (and we assume they included children) as in the case of Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) and the gaoler at Philippi (Acts 16:25-33). Baptism was by immersion and we believe that the New Testament principle still applies - that is, that baptism is for adults but in the case of a Christian household children may also be baptised (with sponsors or godparents) and that immersion is the norm, except for young children.
Death and Life
Baptism signifies a dying to an old world and being born again (see John
3:5-7, Acts 2:37-41). It signifies a dying with Christ in his death and rising
with him in his resurrection (Romans 6:3-11).
Baptism is also seen as entry into the community of believers but as St Paul
makes clear, it is not a magical ritual but a sign of turning away from one
lifestyle to adopt the way of the gospel. The Greek word for repentance is
'metanoia', a turning round.
Baptism is an identity marker which not only confirms what God has been doing in a person’s life but also helps to enable them to live up to their new found identity in Christ.
Baptism and the Spirit
John baptised with water but Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit. Just as with water baptism the image is the same – of being immersed or plunged into the Spirit. Like a sponge that is immersed in water and becomes full, so when Jesus baptises people in the Spirit they are filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is not a once off event for we are encouraged to keep on being filled with the Spirit. Receiving the Spirit and being baptised in water go hand in hand. It is the Spirit that guarantees our new life in Christ and it is the Spirit that gives us the power to live this ‘risen life’
Early History
In Apostolic times, baptism took place immediately after conversion but later when Christians were under persecution they took baptism so seriously that candidates had to have a sponsor from the church who would guarantee the new convert’s change in lifestyle and perseverance in the faith. By the third century there was a ‘catechumenate’ and the ‘Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus’ mentions three years preparation! In the first year each candidate would be taught about Communion. In year two they were given instruction about the spiritual life of a Christian and in year three they were taught the doctrines of the church. Finally, a few weeks before baptism, the candidates were presented to the bishop and routine ‘exorcisms’ took place (not implying that they were possessed but to free them of any evil influences). From Maundy Thursday they fasted and were baptised at the Easter Vigil. The Bishop (as the local and Ordinary minister) performed the baptism, which took place as dawn broke on Easter Day, the congregation having been praying and reading the scriptures. The candidates were taken naked (!) into the pool and asked their belief and trust in Father, Son and Holy Spirit (with each affirmation they were dipped. They were then clothed in a white robe, which they wore for a week. Then the bishop laid hands on them (confirmation).
Clearly the early church took baptism very seriously and we want to recover some of this in our own day whilst not copying every one of their practices!
Preparing for Baptism
To this end we want to help adults in their preparation for their baptism or re-affirmation of baptism vows. We encourage people to take some time out to study, read and pray as well as to attend a number of special ‘baptism evenings’. To help each other we also arrange a time of worship, teaching and silent confession on the day of the baptism. Some people choose to do an Alpha course before they get baptised. Others might do one afterwards. The important thing is to know what we are saying and to want to give our lives to Christ and follow him.
Baptism remains the ‘sacrament of the initiation’ incorporating us into the life of Christ and the life of the Church. It can only happen once. Communion, the other ‘sacrament’, is repeated. Both work in a similar way – identifying the believer with Jesus and equipping them for their new life in Christ.
The Liturgy
As an Anglican church we use the Anglican liturgy for our services part of which means that you will have to answer the following questions:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
What to do next?
If you would like to be baptised as an adult or to re-affirm your baptism
vows please talk with any member of staff or contact the office. We hold regular
baptism services for adults and would love to welcome you as you
explore the whole issue of faith with us in more detail.
Email Richard Wilson
